WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) – A Wilson Central High School sophomore who moved to Middle Tennessee less than a year ago is already a published author.

Shriyam Dhungana, who spent the first 14 years of his life in Nepal, said adjusting to life in the United States has not been easy. He and his family moved to the Volunteer State in April 2023, and he described the transition as difficult at times.

As part of that adjustment, Shriyam turned to writing. His debut novel, "Ash Beneath the Sky," was inspired by his own journey of starting over in a new country. 

He said the process felt like putting a piece of himself into a fictional story, which helped him make sense of the changes he was facing. Shriyam credited his English teacher with assisting him through the early chapters, saying that guidance gave him the confidence to keep writing.

However, the process was not without challenges. Shriyam said he experienced culture shock and discrimination.

“The USA is like a different religion and everything is so different -- the rules, the regulations -- and honestly, I don't know how. I think it's just me, but they were treating me differently because, basically, the type of my skin is brown, so I wouldn’t say that’s a negative thing because that's what shaped me,” Shriyam explained.

Shriyam's parents, Sunita Chaulagain and Gunaraj Dhungana, said they could not be prouder of what he's accomplished at such a young age. The high schooler is already planning his next book, which he hopes will have an even bigger impact. 

“It’s about the world, how there's wars everywhere, so a story of the soldiers who are fighting in the war...and maybe it could help change the world. Who knows?” Shriyam told News 2.

He hopes the story might even inspire change on a global scale.

Just nine months after arriving in Tennessee, Shriyam said this is only the beginning of his writing journey. If you're interested in reading "Ash Beneath the Sky," follow this link.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/wilson-county-teen-publishes-book-after-move-from-overseas/